SOW _ FY22 ANF Release Mowing.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

1. Project Title

FY 22 Release Mowing

2. Background

This contract is for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, and perform all work required to mow 609 acres, in accordance with specifications and provisions of the contract. The Government will furnish no materials, labor, or equipment, unless specifically identified in the Government- Furnished Property Clause.

3. Objective

The objective for this project is to release planted pines and native groundcover from competition. This project is part of the restoration of Longleaf Pine ecosystems on the Apalachicola National Forest.

4. Scope of Work

Release Mowing (609 acres)-

This work will be completed between March 15, and May 15 2022

These areas were Slash pine plantations that have been harvested between 2017 and 2020. In the fall of 2020, the sites were mowed with a brown tree cutter as site prep for planting. Site 24 is a wetter site, and is 30+ miles from the other sites. All sites were planted to longleaf pine in February 2021. Most of the vegetation to be mowed is low hardwood brush, but there are scattered standing and down trees throughout the sites. The purpose of this project is to release the planted longleaf pines, as well as native groundcover, including wiregrass. The site is scheduled for burning in the winter of 2022-2023, and this work will help deliver better burn results.

In addition to all of the above requirements, the following requirements apply:

a) The entire acreage within the boundaries of these stands shall be mowed.

b) To protect longleaf pine seedlings from damage while still creating a significant release/fuel bed, brush will be mowed to a height of between 10 and 16 inches above ground level.

c) Each mowed strip shall overlap the adjacent strip by at least 18 inches

d) The mowing head must be a deck type with cutting blades rather than a drum with rotating teeth. Most areas have light brush that could be mowed with a brush hog, bat wing or other equipment. Some areas may be thicker where a Tree cutter type mower may be appropriate.

e) Cutting blades must be kept sharp.

f) A front mounted cutting attachment may be beneficial in some areas. Two or more machines operating together is recommended due to possible high stumps, or wet ground

g) All standing hardwood trees and brush less than 4 inch diameter at 4.5 feet above ground level shall be cut.

h) All standing trees (living or dead) larger than 4 inch diameter at 4.5 feet above ground level shall be left standing

i) Remnant and regenerating trees are present at varying densities.

a. Trees (pine and hardwood) greater than 4” diameter at breast height will be left undamaged.

b. Longleaf pine seedlings, saplings and mature trees greater than 4 ft tall shall be left undamaged.

c. A buffer of up to 3 ft. may be left un-mowed around these leave trees.

j) Contractor shall not mow hardwood trees designated by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or contract inspectors.

k) No mowing will be done within 60 feet of any threatened, endangered, proposed, or sensitive plant. These locations will be designated by the COR or inspector.

Protection of Gopher Tortoises and their burrows - No work will be done within 25 ft. of active Gopher tortoise burrows. These may not all be marked prior to treatment.

Contractor will avoid all Gopher Tortoise burrows including those flagged with blue and white ribbon or otherwise designated by COR or inspector. Contractor will not harm Gopher Tortoises or other burrow inhabitants (including indigo and other snakes).

EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS - All equipment which is to be used on this work shall be of the proper type, sufficient size, operated at sufficient speed, and in such mechanical condition as to meet the requirements of the work to produce a satisfactory quality of work. The areas designated will be mowed according to specifications using a farm tractor or equivalent. Brush and small trees up to 4 inches diameter at breast height shall be mowed. Remaining vegetation is to be left to a height of 10-16 inches.

A bat wing type mower may be appropriate in some areas, and a brown tree cutter type machine may be needed in other areas. To minimize damage to remaining groundcover, tracked equipment will not be allowed. To successfully complete this contract, the mower must be capable of cutting trees and brush as specified. Tractors must be equipped with protective canopies and fire extinguishers. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) may order the removal and require replacement of any unsatisfactory equipment.

5. Reporting Requirements

No reporting by the contractor will be required for this project

6. Deliverables and Delivery Schedule

The areas designated (609 acres) shall be completed between March 15, and May 15 2022.

Release Mowing

Unit Acres 1 24 2 7 3 35 4 13 5 17 6 7 7 11 8 32 9 17 10 15 11 18 12 33 13 26 14 23 15 45 16 10 17 28 18 14 19 5 20 5 21 58 22 17 23 35 24 119

Total 609

7. Applicable Documents and Standards

Reserved

8. Government-Furnished Property

None

9. Place of Performance

The area to be mowed is within the boundaries of the Apalachicola National Forest; Leon and Liberty Counties, Florida (see attached maps). The areas are delineated on the ground by roads, natural boundaries, painted trees, flagging, and/or plowed lines. Geo-referenced .pdf workmaps for each site will be provided to the contractor. These maps will be suitable for using Avenza or other applications that can read geo-referenced .pdf’s Contractor will need to travel to the worksite daily.

10. Contractor Travel

Some access roads to the work sites can be sandy. Four wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

11. Applicable Publications (Current Editions)

N/A